GREEN  LEAVES  FROM  LIFE'S  GARDEN 


LILIAN   HINMAN 


** 


i 


GREEN  LEAVES  FROM 
LIFE'S  GARDEN 


LILIAN  HINMAN 


BOSTON 

RICHARD  G.    BADGER 


1910 


X4} 

V  ^ 
Copyright  1909  by  Lilian  Hinman 

All  Rights  Reserved 


The  Gorham  Press,  Boston,  U.S.  A. 


Lovingly  dedicated 

to  the  memory  of  my  two  babies 

who  are  now  white  rosebuds 

In  the  Garden  of  God 


PREFACE 

My  hammock  was  swung  beneath  the  shade  of 
two  chestnut  trees.  One,  large,  full,  overhanging 
with  branches  that  hung  low;  the  other,  small  and 
thick,  but  they  mingled  their  branches  together 
over  my  head  in  beautiful  confusion. 

I  faced  the  body  of  the  large  tree,  and  in  the 
morning  as  I  lay  there,  I  gazed  up  through  the  body 
of  the  tree  which  was  not  too  thick  to  see  generous 
glimpses  of  blue  sky  between.  How  I  grew  to  love 
that  tree;  every  leaf  seemed  to  be  an  individual 
companion.  The  upper  branches  that  caught  the 
sunshine  were  filled  with  light;  some  leaves  glis- 
tened like  silver,  some  as  they  caught  the  sun's  rays 
gleamed  with  iridescent  color,  and  seemed  as  they 
waved  in  the  breeze  to  be  prismatic  in  their  beauty. 

Some  were  a  deep,  dark  green,  dashed  here  and 
there  with  little  gold  and  silver  lights;  some  hung 
in  dense  shadows  and  looked  almost  black,  while 
others  showed  the  rich  beautiful  green  of  the  grass, 
striped  with  veins  of  a  slightly  darker  hue,  that  told 
of  the  rich  life  throbbing  within.  Some  were  long, 
large,  and  beautifully  shaped,  some  were  torn, 
mangled,  and  very  small;  but  no  matter  what  their 
size,  shape,  or  color,  each  and  every  leaf  on  the  tree 
did  its  own  individual  work.  Not  one  stopped 
waving  in  the  breeze  because  it  was  torn  or  small, 
nor  was  its  work  inferior  to  the  largest  and  most 


6  Preface 

beautiful  leaf  on  the  tree;  because  each  leaf  worked 
according  to  its  strength  and  power.  And  no  mat- 
ter how  beautiful  some  looked  in  the  sunshine,  or 
how  dark  others,  they  were  all  green;  it  is  only  the 
sunshine  that  has  given  them  an  external  beauty. 

We  are  all  leaves  in  the  Garden  of  God.  Some 
of  us  appear  very  beautiful  when  touched  by  the 
sunshine  of  love,  health,  and  prosperity.  Some 
of  us  seem  unlovely  when  stricken  by  disease, 
strained  by  poverty,  saddened  by  loss,  and  made 
lonely  without  the  love  that  is  our  God-given  right; 
but  if  we  are  the  mangled,  torn,  stunted  leaves,  we 
are  all  green  underneath. 

As  the  leaf  is  kept  green  by  the  rich  sap,  which  is 
its  life  blood  flowing  through  it,  so  are  we  kept  green 
by  the  Divine  Light  of  Love,  which  is  the  heritage 
of  us  all,  rich  or  poor,  beautiful  or  maimed;  and  the 
sunshine  of  God's  smile  throws  the  iridescent  colors 
and  makes  the  only  beauty  worth  having. 

While  the  work  of  the  stunted  leaf  is  as  great  in 
its  proportion  as  that  of  the  perfect  leaf,  if,  like  the 
leaf,  it  has  given  of  its  full  strength  and  power. 


CONTENTS 

Preface 5 

Introduction     ......  9 

The  Motive      .          .           .           .           .           .  10 

Dawn 10 

Work 12 

Hills  of  Freedom      .          .          .          .          .  13 

An  Indian  Love  Tale         .          .           .           .  13 

Trust 14 

Memories          .          .          .          .          .          .  15 

Life's  Boulders           .           .           .          .           .  15 

Roses 16 

Love's  Evolution        .          .          .          .          .  17 

The  Dream  Child 18 

Love's  Kiss      .          .          .          .          .          .  19 

Retrospection    .          .          .          .          .          .  19 

A  Dream 20 

Cast  up  by  the  Sea  .....  22 

What  is  Death 23 

Where 24 

Life 25 

Life's  Work 26 

A  Song  of  Parting    .          .          .          .          .  27 

The  Call  of  the  Deep         ....  28 
Where  is  Heaven      .          .           .           .           .28 

To  my  Baby    ......  30 

The  Test 32 

Met  by  the  Wayside            ....  32 


8  Contents 

A  Voice 33 

Star  of  Hope  .          .          .          .          .          .  33 

Character  on  the  Scroll  of  Eternity       .           .  34 

A  Message  from  the  Sea    .           .           .           .  35 

My  Chum  and  I  .  .  .  .36 

The  Song  of  the  Sea           .           .           .           .  37 

The  Cricket's  Song 37 

The  Voice  of  the  Storm      ....  38 

Rain 39 

Angel  Whispers         .           .           .           ...  40 

The  Angels'  Cradle  Song  .           .           .           .  41 

An  Autumn  Day       .....  41 

To  My  Mother          .          .  .  .42 

Beautiful  Hands       .....  43 

To  My  Schoolmate   .          .          .          ...  44 

The  Message  of  the  Seaweed       ...  44 

Sunset  at  Sea             .          .           .           .           .  45 

Twilight  Whispers    .......  46 

A  Summer  Night     .....  47 

Night 47 


INTRODUCTION 

And  every  tiny  leaf  shall  tell 

The  story  of  God's  wondrous  light, 

The  love  that  shines  through  all  the  day 

And  sheds  its  beauty  o'er  the  night. 

And  though  we  may  in  darkness  walk, 

It  is  because  we  will  not  see 

The  depth  and  glory  of  the  love 

That  sheds  its  peace  o'er  land  and  sea. 


THE  MOTIVE 

If  thou  would'st  weigh  thy  work,  O  soul, 

Thou  has  not  reached  the  summit  of  life's  bliss; 

Thou  dost  not  know  the  happiness  of  life 
Is  told  in  words  like  this. 

"  Give  of  the  fullness  of  thy  love  and  life 
To  all  who  come  to  thee  in  grief  and  pain, 

And  yield  no  thought  how  much  this  fruit  of  thine 
Shall  come  to  thee  again." 

For  happiness  lies  not  in  great  reward, 
But  in  the  power  to  do  the  Father's  will. 

And  great  shall  be  thy  joy  when  at  the  last 
God  whispers,  "  Peace  —  be  still." 

If  thou  canst  not  do  much,  thou  must  not  fret, 
But  do  thy  little  with  a  willing  hand; 

It  is  the  spirit  of  thy  offering  God  will  weigh; 
He  knows  thy  motive  and  will  understand. 

DAWN 

In  the  gray  of  the  early  morning, 
'Mid  the  dew  and  dusk  and  stars, 

I  gazed  on  a  world  wrapped  in  slumber; 
As  I  leaned  on  the  meadow  bars. 

I  had  come  in  the  early  dawning, 

To  try  with  palette  and  brush 
To  catch  the  first  gleams  of  the  sunrise 

In  the  morning's  faint,  sweet  hush. 

10 


Then  I  heard  a  soft,  low  murmur, 
£J     And  a  hush  came  o'er  me  then; 
'Twas  the  litany  of  the  flowers 
Down  in  the  shadowed  glen. 

A  stream  ran  through  the  brushwood, 
And  the  autumn's  rosy  dawn 

Showed  me  a  nest  of  shadows 

Where  the  glad,  bright  day  was  born. 

And  close  by  the  stream's  soft  cooing 
A  wonderful  sight  met  my  gaze; 

'Twas  the  form  of  a  lovely  violet 
In  the  soft  November  haze. 

And  I  learned  its  sad,  sweet  lesson  — 
'Twas  alone,  as  I  was  then  — 

But  it  had  its  mission,  as  I  had, 
Though  it  lived  alone  in  the  glen. 

For  it  taught  me  that  life  was  endurance; 

That  loneliness,  sorrow,  and  care 
Will  make  a  flower  fit  for  heaven 

And  the  heavenly  Gardener's  care. 

And  the  morning  suggested  childhood, 
The  noon  brave  thoughts  of  youth; 

And  as  evening  twilight  deepened 
I  longed  for  the  land  of  truth. 

So  I  put  by  the  brush  and  the  palette, 
And  the  picture  I  wanted  to  get 

Was  in  my  own  heart  painted, 
And  my  eyes  with  tears  were  wet. 

11 


WORK 

Work  for  thyself. 

The  soul  that  sleepeth  is  not  wise; 
Go  hence  to  thy  labors, 

And  prove  the  courage  that  within  thee  lies. 

Work  for  others ; 

And  learn  the  happiness  of  time  well  spent; 
Give  out  thy  love  and  faith, 

And  like  a  flash  will  vanish  all  thy  discontent. 

Work  for  thy  Maker; 

His  love  hath  formed  a  Universe  of  wondrous 

might; 
Banish  all  doubt; 

Thou  art  of  Him  a  part,  and   He  is  everlasting 
light. 

THE  HILLS  OF  FREEDOM 

I  lived  on  the*  hills  of  freedom, 

I  loved  in  the  valley  below; 
But  the  love  I  knew  in  the  valley 

On  the  hilltops  would  not  grow. 

On  the  hills  is  the  light  eternal; 

In  the  valley  the  shadow  of  fear; 
I  longed  for  the  love  supernal, 

But  the  shadows  too  are  dear. 

But  I'll  take  that  love  to  the  hilltops, 
It  will  bloom  up  there,  I'm  sure; 

For  the  love  that  blossomed  in  shadow 
God  kissed  —  and  made  it  pure. 

12 


AN  INDIAN  LOVE  TALE 

Softly  the  twilight  is  falling 

At  the  close  of  a  summer  day; 
The  birds  in  the  swaying  treetops 

Are  singing  their  evening  lay; 
While  soft  o'er  the  shimmering  waters 

The  rowboats  gently  glide, 
And  in  fancy  I  see  the  boatman 

Steal  away  with  his  dusky  bride. 

How  quickly  the  palefaced  boatman 

Paddles  the  waters  blue, 
Vowing  in  tender  whispers 

To  be  ever  loyal  and  true. 
While  afar  in  the  distant  forest 

The  Indian  warrior  brave 
Swears  to  bring  back  his  daughter 

Or  give  her  a  watery  grave. 

Stealthily  through  the  brushwood, 

With  tomahawk  by  his  side, 
He  tracks  the  palefaced  boatman 

Through  the  forest  far  and  wide; 
And  he  thinks  of  his  dark-eyed  papoose, 

As  her  gleaming  arrows  would  fly, 
Who  brightened  his  lonely  wigwam 

In  the  golden  days  gone  by. 

At  last  o'er  the  rippling  waters 

The  fleeing  canoe  he  spies, 
And  swiftly  speeding  an  arrow, 

As  he  paddles  the  waters  wide, 

13 


A  cry  from  his  dusky  daughter 

Tells  the  arrow  has  found  its  home, 

And  the  soul  of  the  palefaced  boatman 
Flees  away  to  the  great  unknown. 

And  when  the  pale  moonbeams  are  gleaming, 

A  canoe  softly  speeds  on  its  way; 
It  carries  the  murdered  boatman 

And  his  dark-eyed  bride  of  a  day, 
Who,  baring  her  dusky  bosom, 

With  action  sure  and  fleet 
She  buries  a  poisoned  arrow 

And  falls  with  a  moan  at  his  feet. 

Always,  in  long  years  after, 

When  people  would  ride  that  way, 
In  the  bright  moon's  tender  radiance 

They  shiver  and  softly  say, 
"  A  canoe,  with  the  palefaced  boatman 

And  his  lovely,  dusky  bride, 
Glides  silently  down  the  river 

And  is  lost  in  the  flowing  tide." 


TRUST 

When  night's  sable  curtain  recalls  us  to  slumber, 
And  Mother  Earth  croons  all  her  children  to  rest, 

The  moon's  fairy  radiance  afar  o'er  the  ocean 
Tells  me  that  my  Father  gives  me  of  His  best. 

14 


MEMORIES 

Farewell!   Farewell!   the  bitter  word  is  spoken, 
Hand  clasped  to  hand,  and  eyes  with  tears  are 

wet; 

With  breaking  hearts  we  cling  to  love's  last  token, 
Lest  we  forget. 

But  still  we  feel  the  love  that  is  unspoken, 

And  memory's  solace  comes  with  bitter  pain, 
But  buried  deep  we  yield  no  thought  or  token, 
Ere  we  forget. 

But  through  Eternity's  vast  space  we  listen 

To  catch  the  echo  of  love's  wings  passing  by; 
We  see  love's  image  in  the  stars  that  glisten; 
Can  we  forget  ? 

And  as  the  ages  roll  there  comes  a  token 

Across  the  world's  illimitable  space, 
The  music  of  love's  whisper  still  unbroken,— 
We'll  ne'er  forget. 

LIFE'S  BOULDERS 

Rolling  the  boulders  out  of  the  way, 
As  we  climb  up  the  mountain  side, 

We  clear  for  our  loved  the  stormy  path, 
For  the  road  is  too  steep  to  ride. 

Rolling  the  boulders  out  of  the  way, 
As  we  climb  up  the  mountain  of  life, 

Our  paths  are  strewn  with  the  rocks  of  sin 
And  made  stony  by  sorrow  and  strife. 

15 


Rolling  the  boulders  out  of  the  way 

For  our  loved  ones  on  life's  weary  road; 

On  a  pathway  of  sunshine  and  radiant  light, 
We  are  leading  them  up  to  God. 

ROSES 

Only  a  spray  of  roses 

To  deck  a  maiden  fair, 
To  greet  a  lover's  proud,  glad  smile 

In  a  garden  waiting  there. 
One  lay  upon  her  bosom, 

One  nestled  in  her  hair, 
And  as  lips  meet  in  a  fond  caress 

The  roses  lay  smiling  there. 

Only  a  spray  of  roses 

To  greet  a  lovely  bride 
Who  goes  to  the  altar  to  meet  her  fate, 

And  to  walk  through  life  by  his  side. 
One  lay  on  the  floor  unheeded, 

Another  was  left  on  the  stair; 
And  as  bride  and  groom  left  the  chancel, 

The  roses  lay  whispering  there. 

Only  a  spray  of  roses 

To  greet  a  tiny  face 
That  lay  on  its  downy  pillow, 

Covered  with  silk  and  lace; 
One  lay  in  the  mother's  trembling  hand, 

One  touched  the  baby  fair, 
And  to  greet  the  heavenly  rosebud, 

They  lay  rejoicing  there. 

16 


Only  a  spray  of  roses 

That  cover  a  silent  form 
And  gaze  on  a  mother's  anguish 

And  long  for  the  smile  that  is  gone. 
Their  snowy  white  petals  lay  breathing 

A  fragrance  of  love  and  despair; 
While  a  mother  kissed  a  fair,  dead  face, 

The  roses  lay  mourning  there. 

LOVE'S  EVOLUTION 

Roll  on,  thou  great  and  boundless  sea, 

Ringing  in  deathless  melody, 

The  wild,  sweet  song  that  sirens  sung 

When  we  both  slept,  and  worlds  were  young; 

How  little  we  dreamed,  dear,  you  and  I, 

As  we  whirled  through  space  from  cloud  to  sky, 

Over  the  mountains  wide  and  free, 

We  should  keep  our  tryst  by  the  mystic  sea. 

When  we  silently  winged  our  way  through  space, 
Echoing  joy  in  our  wild,  free  race, 
From  cloud  to  cloud  we  sped  in  glee; 
And  worlds  ago  you  whispered  to  me 
The  same  sweet  words  you  speak  to-day; 
Can  you  tell  me,  dear,  how  you  found  the  way 
To  reach  my  heart  through  ages  of  time  ? 
Tell  me,  sweetheart,  were  you  always  mine  ? 

We  have  loved  through  eons  of  time,  my  sweet, 
We  have  lived,  and  slept,  while  this  mighty  deep 
Rolled  on  in  its  course  from  shore  to  shore; 
Will  our  love  live  on  forevermore, 

17 


Like  the  turbulant  waves  of  this  deathless  sea, 
Finding  in  God's  eternity 
The  crowning  bliss  of  our  waiting  time, 
When  God  and  Heaven  and  you  are  mine  ? 


THE  DREAM  CHILD 

Rest  your  head  in  silence,  darling, 
On  your  mother's  happy  breast; 

He  who  gave  us  love  and  sorrow 
Knows  for  each  one  what  is  best. 


Thus  I  whisper  in  the  nighttime 
To  the  babe  I  never  knew, 

While  my  lonely  arms  are  aching, 
And  my  eyes  are  filled  with  dew. 


Then  I  dream  of  baby  fingers 
Playing  over  neck  and  breast; 

And  the  emptiness  and  longing 
Are  forever  laid  to  rest. 


For  I  feel  a  soft  kiss  linger 
Softly  over  lips  and  hair, 

And  my  arms  are  filled  with  glory, 
For  an  angel  nestles  there. 

18 


LOVE'S  KISS 
When  eyes  gaze  deep  into  another's  soul, 

When  lips  in  tender,  close  communion  cling; 
When  hungered  hearts  with  love  are  satisfied 

And  in  their  joy  no  jealous  pain  can  sting; 
When  heaven  lies  in  tender,  witching  lips, 

When  all  the  glory  of  the  earth  is  nought, 
When  all  the  honey  that  the  sweet  bee  sips 

Is  lost  beside  the  lips  whose  love  is  fraught 
With  golden  wings  of  joy,  this  is  love's  kiss; 

And  though  thy  life  be  filled  with  loss  and  pain 
Great  joy  is  thine,  the  purest  of  earth's  bliss, 

For  love  in  memory's  dream  is  thine  again. 

RETROSPECTION 

Only  a  little  glimpse  of  blue 
Peeping  from  clouds  of  leaden  hue, 
Shining  down  on  a  storm-tossed  sea, 
Bringing  the  sunshine  back  to  me, 
Of  the  hopes  and  dreams  of  yesterday, 
Whose  gladsome  light  had  faded  away; 
Bringing  from  memory's  misty  sea 
A  dream  of  the  days  that  used  to  be. 

Just  a  tiny  glimpse  of  blue 
Coming  from  hearts  we  know  are  true 
Brings  sunshine  of  love  through  mists  of  pain, 
And  souls  are  refreshed  by  the  summer  rain. 
Over  the  foam-tipped  sea  of  life, 
Where  battles  rage  and  storms  are  rife, 
Comes  love  and  friendship  back  to  me, 
Flooding  the  land  of"  Used  to  be  ." 
19 


A  DREAM 

I  dreamed,  as  I  slept  in  my  stately  hall, 
Of  the  coming  of  Christ,  to  be  Lord  of  all; 
So  I  garnered  my  grain  and  a  feast  prepared, 
For  I  did  not  know  how  my  Lord  had  fared 
On  his  journey  through  town  and  village  small; 
So  I  found  Him  a  place  in  my  stately  hall. 

A  blare  of  trumpets  called  me  out 

To  see  what  this  noise  was  all  about; 

It  was  good  King  David  passing  by. 

I  stopped  the  pageant  to  ask  him  why 

I  had  not  been  told  of  the  coming  of  Him 

Whom  the  prophets  of  old  said  cleansed  all  sin. 

How  shall  I  know  when  my  Lord  has  come  ? 
Will  it  be  with  trumpet  and  beat  of  drum  ? 
With  a  costly  crown  on  His  noble  head, 
And  servants  to  wait  by  His  stately  bed  ? 
Or  will  He  come  with  an  army  in  grand  array, 
To  prove  to  the  world  His  kingly  sway  ? 

And  King  David  answered  with  saintly  smile: 
He  may  not  travel  full  many  a  mile; 
He  will  not  come  with  stately  tread, 
With  garlands  crowning  His  noble  head; 
He  comes  like  a  thief  in  the  dead  of  night, 
While  angels  but  whisper  the  coming  light. 

20 


Go  seek  Him  in  highways  and  byways  of  life; 
Go  whisper  His  name  where  there's  anger  and  strife; 
You  will  see  His  smile  amid  sorrow  and  pain, 
For  the  King  has  come  to  his  own  again. 
He  dwells  in  the  hearts  of  the  sad  and  lone, 
And  the  orphaned  children  He  makes  His  own. 

King  David  passed  on  with  his  courtly  train, 
And  I  turned  to  my  house  and  garnered  grain, 
When  a  little  bird  sang  on  a  tree  outside, 
And  a  soft  voice  whispered,  "  I  am  here  at  your 

side." 

And  I  turned  with  a  sigh,  for  I  could  not  see 
Aught  but  a  little  bird  up  in  a  tree. 

Its  voice  was  the  sweetest  I  ever  heard 
To  come  from  the  throat  of  a  tiny  bird; 
And  it  seemed  to  say  as  it  trilled  its  song, 
"  I  belong  to  the  host  of  the  heavenly  throng." 
'  Then  the  King  must  be  near,  "  I  murmured  low, 
And  trembled  with  fear  lest  I  let  Him  go. 

Then  the  voice  whispered  low  through  my  heart's 

sad  pain, 

"  His  own  has  come  to  the  King  again. 
I  never  have  left  you  one  moment  alone, 
But  the  glamour  of  sin  has  my  love  overthrown. 
It  must  come  through  your  own  God-given  free  will 
To  know  that  I  love  you  and  live  with  you  still." 

21 


CAST  UP  BY  THE  SEA 

She  lay  alone  by  the  moonlit  sea, 

Clothed  in  the  majesty  of  death. 
Her  young  life  gone  by  its  cruelty, 

A  marble  form  lacking  only  breath, 
Washed  up  by  the  flowing  tide  in  the  night, 

Her  face  shining  out  through  her  long,  dank  hair, 
In  her  dreamless  sleep  such  a  pitiful  sight, 

The  form  that  we  loved,  that  was  once  so  fair. 


Where  is  the  spirit  that  took  its  flight  ? 

Who  heard  the  heartbroken,  pitiful  cry  ? 
Our  love  could  not  save  her  in  death's  dark  night, — 

Our  Father  alone  knows  the  reason  why 
She  sank  to  rest  'neath  the  cruel  wave. 

Did  we  hold  her  too  close,  that  spirit  fair, 
And  forget  that  His  hand  was  the  one  to  save  ? 

So  He  took  her  to  rest  with  Him  up  there. 

Perhaps  the  waves  loved  to  caress  her  form 

When  they  carried  God's  message  of  peace  to  her 

heart; 
And  she  understood  the  voice  of  the  storm 

When  she  flew  on  its  wings  to  that  land  apart 
From  earthly  strife  and  sorrow  and  pain, 

And  reached  the  peace  of  her  Father's  breast, 
Meeting  the  dear  ones  she  loved  again, 

And  glad  in  her  freedom,  His  love  and  rest. 

22 


WHAT  IS  DEATH  ? 

O  mother,  is  it  hard  to  die, 

And  shall  I  be  afraid  ? 
Will  Jesus  take  me  safely  through, 

Up  to  His  throne  on  high  ? 

They  say  He  wipes  away  all  tears, 

Dear  mother,  is  it  true  ? 
And  will  He  calm  my  foolish  fears, 

And  make  me  like  Him  too  ? 

But  do  not  weep,  my  mother  dear, 

For  I  shall  happy  be, 
And  I  shall  be  so  very  near; 

And  yet  my  Lord  shall  see. 

Tell  Bettie  when  she  comes,  mother, 

To  take  my  garden  spade 
And  plant  a  rosebush  on  my  grave 

Just  where  my  head  is  laid. 

Hark!  I  hear  the  sound  of  music! 

'Tis  angels  singing  "  Welcome  home." 
Good  by,  mother,  I'm  so  happy, 

For  I  feel  I'm  not  alone. 


23 


WHERE  ? 

Dedicated  to  Victoria  Woodhull  Martin 

Where  is  the  land  of  pure  delight, 
Where  the  soul  can  be  free  in  its  soaring  flight  ? 
Where  the  heart  can  betray  in  a  burst  of  song 
The  freedom  of  love  that  can  know  no  wrong  ? 

Is  it  far  away  ?     Do  I  understand 
We  are  journeying  on  to  a  better  land  ? 
To  a  life  of  truth  and  love  and  joy, 
Where  the  gold  is  pure  and  without  alloy  ? 

Is  it  far  away  beyond  ocean  blue, 
That  the  light  of  a  life  is  pure  and  true  ? 
Is  it  up  in  the  clouds  in  the  starry  realm, 
That  love  and  purity  guide  the  helm  ? 

No,  no,  from  the  shrine  of  a  woman's  heart 
Has  come  the  courage  to  rend  apart 
The  veil  of  ignorance,  death,  and  despair 
That  encompassed  the  lives  of  her  sisters  fair. 


Victory  named  and  victory  crowned, 
A  woman's  soul  the  means  has  found 
To  point  the  way  to  a  hidden  goal, 
And  heaven  lies  hid  in  the  human  souL 

24 


LIFE 

Life  is  an  endless  rotation 
Of  tasks  that  are  never  done; 

Of  battles  we're  always  fighting, 
Of  victories  never  won. 

Life  is  elusive,  alluring, 

The  goal  seems  always  in  sight; 
But  the  end  for  which  we  are  striving 

Seems  never  to  be  just  right. 

The  dream  of  a  cherished  ideal 

Floats  back  to  us  through  the  years, 

And  the  pure  happy  days  of  childhood 
Return  through  a  mist  of  tears. 

But  afar  o'er  the  great  world's  distance 
Gleams  sunshine  o'er  valley  and  hills, 

With  love's  fairy  radiance  gleaming 
On  the  life  plan  the  Father  wills. 

The  tasks  and  the  battles  are  blessings, 
And  the  radiance  of  love  that  we  feel 

Will  win  us  the  freedom  eternal, 
For  the  ideal  will  become  real. 


25 


LIFE'S  WORK 

There  is  work  to  be  done  in  the  world  to-day! 
Will  you  leave  it  and  leisurely  go  your  way  ? 
There  are  weary  hearts  needing  a  loving  smile 
To  lead  them  out  to  the  afterwhile. 
There  are  tears  to  dry,  loving  words  to  speak 
To  the  sick,  the  lonely,  the  sad,  and  weak; 
Will  you  leave  them  to  float  on  an  ebbing  tide. 
While  you  pass  by  on  the  other  side  ? 

There  are  little  ones  needing  a  mother's  care, 
There  are  hearts  that  are  hungry  for  love  every- 
where; 

There  are  struggling  ones  seeking  the  path  of  light, 
Will  you  leave  them  to  sink  into  darkest  night  ? 
The  poor  and  the  hungry  all  need  your  care, 
Those  sunken  in  sin  were  once  pure  and  fair; 
Will  you  show  them  the  pathway  to  heaven  is  wide 
Or  pass  them  by  on  the  other  side  ? 

God  gave  you  a  spirit  pure  and  bright, 

Do  you  show  to  the  world  its  radiant  light  ? 

He  gave  you  the  work  He  meant  you  to  do, 

In  His  vineyard  the  workers  must  all  prove  true. 

Some  duty  lies  nearest  to  every  one, 

And  that  is  the  duty  God  meant  sholild  be  done. 

Happiness  comes  when  you  cast  self  aside 

And  refuse  to  pass  by  on  the  other  side. 

26 


A  SONG  OF  PARTING 

Your  pathway  I  have  tried  to  smooth,  sweetheart, 
And  all  the  thorns  of  life  to  toss  away; 

And  every  passing  ill  I've  tried  to  soothe 
That  came  to  mar  thy  happy  day. 

How  much  in  silence  I  have  borne  for  thee 

Thy  true,  fond  heart,  I  trust,  will  never  know; 

My  tireless  thought  so  oft  has  run  before 
To  guard  thy  careless  feet  from  every  foe. 

My  quivering  lips  have  forced  full  many  a  smile, 
Lest  they  should  mar  the  beauty  of  thy  day, 

And  in  thy  presence  I  have  sought  the  while 
The  anguish  of  my  own  fond  heart  to  stay. 

Thy  footsteps  made  my  trembling  heart  rejoice, 
The  sweetest  sound  in  all  the  world  to  me; 

I  loved  the  music  of  thy  happy  voice, 

And  sorrow's  dregs  I  drained  alone  for  thee. 

But  days  of  grief  and  joy  soon  pass  away, 
And  ere  to-morrow's  sun  hast  sunk  to  rest 

Thou  wilt  have  left  the  shelter  of  my  heart 
And  with  thy  loved  one  sought  another  nest. 

God  grant  that  ne'er  this  newfound  love  of  thine 
Will  cause  thy  heart  to  ache,  or  ere  forget 

A  mother's  love  will  last  throughout  all  time, 
And  in  her  heart  there  can  be  no  regret. 

27 


THE  CALL  OF  THE  DEEP 

At  the  twilight  hour,  when  the  sun  had  set, 
I  hurried  away  from  the  noise  and  fret 
Of  the  city's  din,  to  the  sands  of  the  sea, 
To  hear  what  its  murmur  would  bring  to  me,- 
Those  green  sea  waves. 

The  night  grew  dark,  and  the  ocean's  grand 
Tumultuous  roar  washed  up  on  the  strand 
A  little  shoe  from  the  stormy  deep, 
A  curling  wave  laid  it  just  at  my  feet, — 
Those  mad  sea  waves. 

And  methought  in  my  fancy  I  saw  the  form 
Of  a  tiny  babe,  'neath  the  ocean's  foam, 
In  a  shroud  of  seaweed,  its  cradled  bed 
A  hidden  cave  in  that  home  of  the  dead, — 
Those  sad  sea  waves. 

But  there  came  a  voice  from  the  mighty  deep,- 
"  He  giveth  His  beloved  sleep." 
From  earth's  vast  shores  to  ocean's  foam 
In  the  Father's  love  we  are  safe  at  home, — 
His  voice  is  the  glad  sea  waves. 

WHERE  IS  HEAVEN 

Where  is  the  road  to  heaven,  sir  ? 

Asked  a  trembling  little  lad. 
Is  it  a  long  and  lonely  road, 

Is  the  way  so  very  bad  ? 

28 


Must  I  go  away  in  a  great  big  ship  ? 

Over  the  waters  blue  ? 
My  playmates  say  it  is  up  in  the  sky, 

Do  you  know  if  that  is  true  ? 

The  road  to  heaven,  said  the  gray-haired  man, 

Lies  all  along  life's  way; 
It  leads  from  the  tiniest  baby  heart 

To  the  oldest  man  of  to-day. 

It  lies  through  sorrow  and  sin  and  pain, 
And  straight  through  the  valley  of  tears, 

Till  you  find  yourself  stranded  in  left  alone  land, 
In  anguish  and  night's  darksome  fears. 

And  then  on  the  mountain  of  lofty  heights 
You  can  climb  till  you  reach  the  stars, 

And  you  learn  from  love's  own  radiant  light 
That  heaven  can  hold  no  bars. 

You  will  find  the  road  in  a  bubbling  stream, 

In  the  eyes  of  a  lonely  child, 
In  dropping  water  o'er  broken  stones, 

In  the  swaying  treetops  wild. 

So  we  do  not  ride  to  lands  afar, 

Or  reach  right  up  to  the  skies; 
When  love  divine  sheds  its  radiant  light, 

Heaven  around  and  within  us  lies. 

29 


TO  MY  BABY 

They  say  my  nose  is  out  of  joint, 
I  wonder  what  they  mean; 

I'm  sure  it  seems  to  have  a  point 
And  stay  on  without  a  seam. 

I  wonder  why  I'm  all  alone, 

I'm  sure  I  ain't  been  bad; 
I  didn't  poke  fingers  in  the  jam, 

Or  run  away  from  dad, 

Or  wipe  my  fingers  on  the  chairs, 
Or  tear  my  Sunday  frock, 

Or  make  a  noise  in  grandma's  room, 
Or  go  in  without  a  knock. 

Don't  seem  to  tare  for  me  at  all; 

I  sit  here  all  alone; 
They  all  stay  up  in  grandma's  room, 

Or  say  things  on  the  'phone. 

Last  night  they  let  me  in  to  see 

My  mamma,  sick  in  bed, 
An'  I  seed  a  'ittle  fuzzy  sing, 

With  a  awful  funny  head. 

And  muzzie  called  it  darling, 
Just  like  she  used  to  me; 

It  made  a  lump  come  in  my  froat, 
And  then  I  couldn't  see, 

30 


'Cause  tears  was  running  down  my  cheeks, 

And  nursie  she  just  point, 
And  whispered  close  in  daddy's  ear, 

"  Her  nose  is  out  of  joint." 

And  then  I  ran  right  out  of  doors 

And  cried  myself  most  sick, 
And  nursie  said  'twas  temper, 

And  I  ought  to  have  the  stick. 

Then  what  do  you  think  my  daddy  said  ? 

'  That  sing  was  a  baby  bruvver." 
I  don't  want  it  if  it  is, 

I  only  want  my  muvver! 

I  wonder  what  they're  doing  now  ? 

I  think  I'll  peep  and  see; 
They  never  seem  to  'member 

A  little  dirl  like  me. 

Oh,  yes,  I  hear  my  muvver  call, 

And  I'll  go  in  and  see 
If  I  can't  drive  that  bruvver  out, 

And  then  they'll  all  love  me. 
For  then  I  know  that  they  won't  point 
And  say  my  nose  is  out  of  joint. 

THE  TEST 

It's  easy  to  do  the  great  things, 
As  we  journey  along  life's  way, 

But  it's  hard  to  rise  to  the  sacrifice 
Of  the  little  things  day  by  day. 

31 


It's  grand  to  go  forth  with  the  army 

And  join  in  the  battle  and  strife; 
But  it's  hard  to  be  home  with  the  weight  and  the 
moan 

And  the  anguish  of  every-day  life. 

It's  hard  to  be  smiling  and  happy 

When  our  cherished  ambitions  lie  dead, 

And  we  long  for  the  fight,  in  the  battle  of  life, 
But  we  have  to  lie  helpless  instead. 

But  it's  easy  to  smile  in  the  darkness, 
Though  our  hearts  lie  in  shadow  alone, 

For  where  God  leads  the  way  it  always  is  day, 
And  the  light  of  His  love  is  our  home. 

MET  BY  THE  WAYSIDE 

Courage,  sad  heart,  there  is  an  end  to  waiting; 

The  night  is  dark,  but  bright  will  shine  the  day; 
Thy  Father  knows  thy  weary  heart  is  fainting, 

His  hand  is  near  to  be  thy  guide  and  stay. 

The  load  is  heavy,  and  the  shadows  darken, 
And  doubts  and  fears  will  spring  up  every  day; 

His  voice  rings  out,  if  only  thou  wilt  barken, 
And  bids  thee  follow,  He  will  lead  the  way. 

There  is  no  heart  so  sad  but  can  give  greeting 
To  weary  ones  who  need  a  loving  smile; 

Ask  God  for  peace  and  blessing  in  thy  meeting 
With  those  who  hunger  and  must  stay  awhile. 

32 


He  knows  thy  anguish,  that  the  way  is  lonely, 
'Tis  but  a  little  while  He  bids  thee  roam; 

He  whispers  work  and  wait,  and  trust  Him  only; 
Then  comes  the  glory  of  thy  Father's  home. 

A  VOICE 

I  stood  alone  at  death's  dark  portal, 

And  o'er  the  distant  hills  there  came  the  sound  of 

timbrals  from  afar. 
I  listened,  but  alas,  I  was  but  mortal, 

And  I  only  caught  the  echo  of  the  whispering  of  a 
star. 

STAR  OF  HOPE 

Shine  on,  my  Star  of  Hope, 

And  be  thy  beams  forever  bright; 

Thy  radiance  sheds  effulgent  beams, 

And  in  the  shining,  radiate  God's  pure  light. 

Shine  on,  dear  Heart  of  Gold, 
The  Saviour  bids  thee  feed  His  Lambs, 
And  them  and  thee  He'll  gather  to  His  fold 
When  at  the  last  He  wishes  thee  well  done. 

Shine  on,  thou  radiant  Star, 

And  in  thy  darkest  hour 

God  gathers  up  for  thee  the  scattered  strands, 

And  shows  the  crystal  clear. 

33 


CHARACTER  ON  THE  SCROLL  OF 
ETERNITY 

I  saw  a  great  scroll  of  parchment, 
It  was  written  in  letters  of  gold, 

With  characters  strange  and  mystic, 
For  the  parchment  was  very  old. 

It  was  grand  in  its  rugged  old  beauty, 
For  it  rolled  down  the  ages  of  time, 

And  it  told  in  its  eloquent  silence 
The  story  of  lives  sublime. 

I  could  not  read  the  first  writing, 

So  puzzling  the  story  of  soul, 
It  seemed  to  fade  out  into  darkness, 

And  a  shadow  was  over  the  whole. 

Then  my  heart  felt  a  chill  of  foreboding, 
As  the  shadows  and  dark  spots  revealed 

A  history  of  life's  tragic  moments 

When  the  spirit  by  sin  was  concealed. 

Then  I  found  a  space  that  seemed  empty, 

So  faint  was  the  writing  and  old, 
But  I  looked  with  eyes  of  faith's  longing 

And  I  found  it  was  written  in  gold. 

Here  lay  a  green  leaf  unfolding, 

There  a  white  rose  petal  fair, 
And  I  smiled  at  its  glorious  beauty, 

For  the  Master's  hand  was  there. 

34 


Then  I  knew  that  the  shadows  were  needed, 
Had  their  place  in  the  glorious  whole, 

For  they  brightened  the  gold  of  the  writing, 
As  I  gazed  on  that  wonderful  scroll. 

And  the  letters  grew  brighter  and  brighter, 
Till  the  sun  seemed  to  pale  by  their  side; 

And  I  heard  a  sound  as  of  laughter 
When  I  opened  the  parchment  wide. 

And  I  knew  then  that  God  was  the  writer, 

That  His  love  wrought  the  plan  of  the  whole, 

And  His  peace  cast  a  radiant  lustre 
O'er  that  beautiful  story  of  soul. 

A  MESSAGE  FROM  THE  SEA 

The  ever  varying,  changeful  sea, 

That  brings  in  its  music  a  message  to  me 

Of  service  and  love,  of  joy  divine, 

Of  my  oneness  with  God  through  eternal  time. 

The  sublime,  unchanging,  yet  varying  sea 
Brings  through  the  ages  its  message  to  me, 
Of  infinite  peace  above  tumult  and  strife, 
That  ebbs  and  flows  through  the  ocean  of  life. 

As  the  tides  of  the  ocean  recede  from  the  shore, 
So  friendship  will  soften  the  sorrow  and  strife, 
Like  bright,  opalescent  gleams  on  the  sea, 
Thy  friendship,  dear  heart,  sheds  its  radiance  o'er 
me. 

35 


MY  CHUM  AND  I 

We  sat  in  the  hayloft,  one  bright  summer  day, 
And  painted  a  picture  among  the  sweet  hay; 
We  covered  a  window,  and  opened  a  door, 
And  gathered  the  hay  up  from  off  the  barn  floor, — 
My  chum  and  I. 

We  set  up  the  easel  and  opened  our  box, 
And  posed  for  our  picture  without  any  stops; 
We  painted  the  rafters,  the  girl,  and  the  floor, 
And  all  that  we  missed  was  the  old  barn  door, — 
My  chum  and  I. 

And  when  we  grew  weary  and  thought  'twas  a 

bother, 
We  watched  the  old  horse  with  his  nose  in  the 

fodder, 

And  talked  of  the  painters  who  lived  long  ago, 
And   tried   to    paint    pictures,    but   couldn't,   you 

know, — 

My  chum  and  I. 

Then  mother  dear  brought  us  some  doughnuts  and 

tea, 

And  said  what  a  wonderful  picture  'twould  be! 
And  we  talked,  and  we  painted,  the  long  summer 

day, 

Till  the  setting  sun  peeped  at  us,  up  in  the  hay,— 
My  chum  and  I. 

36 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  SEA 

There's  a  song  in  the  sea  when  the  skies  are  blue 
And  the  sunlight  glistens  on  foam-tipped  wave; 

It  sings  of  the  life  that  is  pure  and  true, 
And  the  love  eternal  the  Father  gave. 

There's  a  song  in  the  sea  when  the  skies  are  gray, 
It  murmurs  of  sorrow  and  hungry  hearts; 

It  tells  of  the  life  that  has  gone  astray, 
That  lives  in  shadows  its  life  apart. 

There's  a  song  in  the  sea  when  the  wild  winds  moan, 
Brings  its  grand  tumultuous  roar  to  the  sea; 

It  speaks  to  the  prodigal  child,  "  Come  home, 
The  Christ  Love  calls  thee  to  Calvary." 

THE  CRICKETS'  SONG 

I  sat  in  the  loft  in  the  old  gray  barn, 

On  a  summer's  day  as  the  rain  came  down; 

A  mouse  ran  over  the  old  barn  floor 

And  down  through  the  crevice  of  the  old  barn  door, 

As  I  listened  to  the  crickets  singing. 

They  piped  a  cheerful  and  merry  lay, 
And  I  thought  of  the  days  of  the  long  ago, 
When  my  heart  was  as  gay  as  the  crickets'  song, 
And  I  played  in  the  barn  the  whole  day  long, 
As  I  listened  to  the  crickets'  singing. 

But  the  old  gray  barn  is  silent  now, 
The  merry  voices  we  sadly  miss; 

37 


One  mourns  alone  in  a  foreign  land, 
Another  has  joined  the  heavenly  band, 
And  the  crickets  still  are  singing. 

But  we'll  meet  again  in  the  old  gray  barn, 

And  listen  once  more  to  the  crickets'  song; 

But  we'll  yearn  for  the  touch  of  the  dimpled  hand, 

And  the  silent  voice  in  the  far-off  land, 

While  the  crickets  still  are  singing. 

THE  VOICE  OF  THE  STORM 

Dreaming  alone  on  the  wide,  restless  ocean, 
Thinking  of  home  and  the  friends  far  away, 

Riding  with  joy,  and  a  sailor's  devotion, 

On  the  breast  of  the  storm  and  bathed  with  its 
spray. 

Turbulent,  dashing,  its  wild  billows  roaring, 
Lashed  in  grand  beauty  its  glistening  foam, 

See  how  the  anchor  is  torn  from  its  mooring 

And  the  staunch  little  vessel  rides  on  her  way 
home. 

Firm  on  the  bridge  the  brave  captain  is  standing, 
Sure  is  his  hand  in  the  lightning's  wild  glare, 

Guiding  in  triumph  his  craft  to  her  landing, 
Welcomed  by  loved  ones  awaiting  him  there. 

While  afar  on  the  ocean  another  boat  drifting, 
Stormtossed  and  helpless  her  brave  captain  stood, 

Watching  in  sorrow  the  angry  clouds  rifting, — 
God  and  the  angels  alone  understood 

38 


That  alone  and  in  silence  that  brave  heart  was 
breaking, — 

His  shipmates  had  failed  him  and  left  him  alone, 
True  to  his  vessel,  his  doom  with  her  waiting, 

Glad  to  find  rest  neath  the  ocean's  white  foam. 

Lifting  his  eyes  to  the  storm  clouds'  dark  splendor, 
"  Father  in  heaven,  have  mercy!  "  he  cried; 

I've  stood  by  my  ship  and  I've  tried  to  defend  her, 
But  Thou  art  the  master  of  wave,  wind,  and  tide. 

I  thank  Thee,  my  Father,  for  all  of  Thy  blessings, 
The  unanswered  prayers,  and  the  sorrow  and 
pain; 

I  sink  now  to  rest,  in  Thy  tender  love  resting, 
To  rise  at  Thy  bidding,  and  meet  Thee  again. 

With  a  glad  smile  of  triumph  he  fell  into  slumber, 
Caressed  by  the  wind  spirit,  cradled  in  love, 

The  ocean's  grand  requiem  made  the  world  wonder, 
For  it  gave  to  the  world  a  glad  song  from  above. 

RAIN 

The  blessed  rain, 
Filling  with  joy  the  golden  grain; 
Bringing  the  parched  earth  glad  relief 
From  weary  thirst  and  summer  heat. 

The  pattering  rain 
Makes  the  sweet  flowers  glad  again, 
And  the  tall  trees  bend  in  eager  love 
To  catch  each  drop  sent  from  above. 

39 


The  joyous  rain, 

Filling  the  earth  with  a  glad  refrain, 
Showers  of  blessing,  peace,  and  love 
God's  benediction  sent  from  above. 

The  sacred  rain 

Of  sorrow,  loss,  of  grief  and  pain, 
That  cleanses  each  heart  from  life's  alloy, 
And  fills  it  with  peace  and  holy  joy. 

The  glorious  rain 

Of  a  perfect  trust,  of  a  heavenly  joy; 
Showers  of  blessing  throughout  all  time, 
Drenched  with  love  and  light  divine. 

ANGEL  WHISPERS 

Mother  lies  weeping  in  sorrow  and  pain, 
And  longs  for  the  baby  she'll  ne'er  see  again; 
An  angel  has  swept  from  the  great  heights  above, 
And  baby  now  nestles  in  God's  holy  love. 

Baby  looks  down  and  sees  mother  in  tears, 
And  longs  to  return  just  to  comfort  her  fears; 
So  God  gives  him  wings,  like  the  birdies,  to  fly, 
And  he  flew  back  to  earth  and  kissed  all  her  tears 
dry. 

Mother  is  happy  and  at  her  work  sings, 

The  babe  hovers  round  her  and  flutters  his  wings, 

And  whispers  of  God's  holy,  radiant  love, 

And  tells  her  to  meet  him  in  heaven  above. 

40 


THE  ANGEL'S  CRADLE  SONG 

Mother  has  gone  to  the  regions  of  light, 

Baby  is  weeping  alone  in  the  night; 

Angels  are  watching  o'er  cradle  so  fair, 

And  mother's  bright  spirit  is  one  of  them  there. 

Baby  is  swinging  from  treetops  so  high, 
Mother  looks  down  from  her  home  in  the  sky; 
How  baby  laughs  as  she  merrily  swings, 
And  thus  is  the  song  that  the  mother  heart  sings. 

God  sends  an  angel  all  white  robed  and  fair, 
To  watch  over  baby  while  slumbering  there, 
And  the  Mother  that  soared  to  the  regions  of  light 
Is  the  angel  that  guards  baby's  slumbers  at  night. 

And  when  the  daylight  wakes  baby  so  fair, 
The  angel  invisible  still  watches  there, 
And  whispers  to  baby  of  love  pure  and  bright, 
And  tells  her  the  story  of  God's  holy  light. 


AN  AUTUMN  DAY 

God  has  been  good  to  His  children, 
To  give  them  scenes  like  this; 

He  touches  the  earth  with  the  wand  of  love 
And  lo!  'tis  a  dream  of  bliss! 

41 


TO  MY  MOTHER 

Where  did  you  go  to,  mother  dear, 
When  your  beautiful  soul  left  us  sorrowing  here, 
And  your  body  was  laid  in  the  grave  away  ? 
Was  your  spirit  with  us,  I  wonder,  that  day  ? 

The  world  seems  empty  without  you,  dear, 
And  the  longing  to  meet  you  is  touched  with  the  fear 
That  you  will  be  changed,  and  will  not  know 
When  I  reach  that  land  where  I  long  to  go. 

Not  that  I  want  to  leave  this  world 
Till  the  whole  life  plan  has  been  unfurled, 
The  work  God  gave  me  has  been  done, 
The  battle  fought  and  the  victory  won. 

I  cannot  feel  you  are  far  away, 
You  seem  so  near  me  day  by  day; 
I  feel  you  in  storm,  in  wind,  and  rain, 
When  I  cry  aloud  in  my  love  and  pain. 

Sometimes  I  see  your  face  in  the  trees, 

And  hear  your  voice  in  the  murmuring  breeze; 

Your  eyes  look  out  of  the  silent  night, 

I  see  your  smile  in  the  dawn's  soft  light. 

You  come  in  the  night  when  I'm  all  alone, 
For  the  dear  God  loves  to  comfort  His  own; 
Sometimes  I  can  feel  you  touch  my  hand, 
I  smile  and  whisper  and  understand. 

42 


So  I  think  it  is  best  God  took  you,  dear, 

Your  work  for  Him  was  finished  here; 

He  needed  your  love  in  the  land  of  light 

To  brighten  some  star  that  shines  out  in  the  night. 


BEAUTIFUL  HANDS 

Beautiful,  dimpled,  tiny  hands, 
That  tremble  and  reach  and  twine  and  cling; 
They  lead  the  mother  heart  up  to  God, 
And  teach  us  that  love  is  so  holy  a  thing 
That  the  angels  smile  and  God's  heart  sings 
With  the  love  that  a  little  child  heart  brings. 

Beautiful  hands,  so  tender  and  strong; 
They  reach  right  up  to  the  heavenly  throng; 
The  God  given  touch  of  a  mother's  hand, 
As  she  ministers  love  to  her  little  band, 
And  sends  them  forth  in  battle  array 
To  work  and  to  win  in  God's  own  way. 

Beautiful  hands  so  wrinkled  and  worn 

That  their  touch  is  holy,  and  an  angel  borne 

On  the  wings  of  time 

Caught  their  message  of  love  sublime 

And  has  written  it  down  on  the  records  of  time; 

And  if  they  tremble  and  lose  the  way 

The  Father's  hand  will  bid  them  stay. 

43 


TO  MY  SCHOOLMATE 

The  golden  gates  are  open  now, 

Our  darling  has  gone  through; 
She  is  from  care  and  sorrow  free, 

From  tears  and  trials  too. 

She's  safe  within  the  pearly  gates 

And  leans  on  Jesus'  breast; 
We  must  not  weep  for  Edith  now, 

For  she  has  gone  to  rest. 

'Tis  wrong  to  mourn  for  those  we've  lost, 

They're  only  gone  before, 
And  we  shall  meet  them  soon  again 

On  the  golden  shore. 

She  sits  upon  the  Lord's  right  hand 

And  bids  us  watch  and  wait, 
For  she  is  sweetly  singing  now, 

Safe  within  the  golden  gate. 

THE  MESSAGE  OF  THE  SEAWEED 

Oh,  call  us  not  weeds,  we  are  flowers  of  the  sea, 
For  lovely  and  bright  and  gay  tinted  are  we; 
The  caves  of  the  ocean  afford  us  a  home, 
And  we  carry  God's  message  wherever  we  roam. 

On  the  foamy  tipped  billows  we  ride  to  the  shore, 

And  oft  to  our  home  we  return  never  more; 

But  we  gladden  some  hearts  on  the  strife-ridden 

land, 
As  we  carry  the  touch  of  the  Father's  own  hand. 

44 


The  moon  sheds  her  pale  silvery  light  on  the  shore, 
And  we  long  for  our  home  in  the  sea  caves  once 

more; 

But  if  God  sends  a  message  afar  from  the  sea, 
I'm  only  too  happy  if  He  will  send  me. 


SUNSET  AT  SEA 

The  golden  glory  of  the  setting  sun, 

Cast  radiating  gleams  of  shimmering  light 

O'er  shadowed  sea; 

The  misty  realm  of  coming  night 

Crept  slowly  o'er  the  burnished  radiant  lea. 

The  golden  glory  of  the  orb  of  day 

Cheers  many  a  lonely  heart 

Upon  the  main: 

And,  gazing  o'er  the  far-stretched,  sun-kissed  wave, 

We  long  for  love's  own  presence  once  again. 

When  sailing  brightly  o'er  life's  happy  main, 

How  little  value  to  the  love  we  give 

That  is  our  own; 

Till  cast  adrift  on  broad  affliction's  sea 

The  greatest  depths  of  truth  and  love  are  known. 


45 


TWILIGHT  WHISPERS 

Softly  the  twilight  is  falling, 

And  far  o'er  the  silent  air 
The  sound  of  the  church  bell  is  calling, 

Is  calling  us  back  to  prayer. 

The  birds  in  the  treetops  are  trilling 
A  service  immortal  and  strong; 

They  bring  to  us  heaven's  own  portals, 
When  we  join  in  the  glorious  song. 

When  far  o'er  the  distant  valley 
*3     The  hush  of  the  cool  night  falls, 
While  the  peace  of  the  heavenly  songsters 
Tells  us  Love  has  encompassed  us  all. 

The  peace  of  the  valleys  and  mountains 
Fills  my  heart  with  a  glory  divine, 

And  I  know  that  the  God  heart  will  lead  me 
To  heights  of  service  sublime. 


A  SUMMER  NIGHT 

Stratas  of  fire  in  a  western  sky, 

Radiant  with  crimson  and  purple  light, 

Shades  into  everlasting  blue, 

With  the  golden  glow  of  a  summer  night. 

46 


NIGHT 

Beautiful,  sheltering,  kindly  night, 

Peopled  with  friends  from  the  great  unknown; 
Clasping  us  close  from  the  blazing  light, 

Giving  peace  to  the  hearts  that  sorrow  alone. 

Watched  by  the  glittering  silver  stars, 
Bathed  in  the  moon's  fair  radiant  light; 

Loved  by  the  friends  unseen  from  afar; 

Guarded  by  those  who  have  passed  from  our 
sight. 

Dreaming  alone  on  the  mighty  deep, 

God  and  the  angels  guarding  me; 
Cradled  by  love  I  sink  to  sleep, 

Lulled  to  rest  by  the  mystic  sea 


47 


Hi  nman  -    LT  X 

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Green  lea 

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J..L  9    3    Lucira 

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M191994 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


